From Vermont and Points North
Take I-91 South to exit 13B to Route 5 South, to Route 147 West to the Eastern States Exposition.

From Connecticut and and Points South (including NYC and Westchester County)
Take I-91 North from routes 2, 84 and 95 -- Follow I-91 to Massachusetts exit 3, to Route 5 North, to Route 147 West to the Eastern States Exposition.

Alternate Routes from Connecticut and and Points South (from Southwestern Connecticut)
Take Route 202 North to Southwick, Mass. turn East on Route 57, to Route 147 East to the Eastern States Exposition.

From Hartford
Take I-91 North to exit 42 to Route 159 North, to Route 147 East OR take I-91 to exit 47 West, to Route 190 West, to Route 159 North to Route 147 East to the Eastern States Exposition.

From Boston and Points East
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike West to exit 4, I-91 south to Route 5 South, to Route 147 West to the Eastern States Exposition.

From Points West - From the Berkshires, West including Albany and upstate New York
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike East to exit 4, I-91 South to Route 5 South, to Route 147 West to the Eastern States Exposition.

Ticket Information

Adults: $15.00 per day
Children 15 and under: FREE Accompanied by an Adult
EASTERN STATES PARKING: $5.00 per day

Tickets will be sold on the grounds starting one hour before the show opens on each day of the show to keep lines to a minimum. Advanced purchase ticket info is available by CLICKING HERE.

Special Services for Groups

Any large groups arriving via chartered coach can receive extra benefits. Special parking is provided for charter buses. If the group calls ahead to the Show Office with a passenger count, their tickets will be ready for them when the bus arrives avoiding any waiting in the ticket line.

School and civic groups may also contact us to learn of extra benefits, including group discounts.

Special Needs

The Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show will make every effort to accomodate anyone wishing to attend the show whenever possible. It you have any questions regarding special needs, please do not hestitate to contact us.

If you are interested in renting a Wheel Chair or Motorized cart, please contact:

Public Transportation Information

Please note: Schedules are subject to change and links to schedules on the web also change.

If you are traveling to the show via Amtrak or the CTrail Hartford Line, you will be getting off the train at Springfield Massachusetts. The Amherst Railway Society now has free Shuttle Service to and from the Springfield Union Station. Vans run approximately every 10-15 minutes. Public transportation is also available on PVTA (Pioneer Valley Transit Authority) buses.

If you are arriving in Springfield by Amtrak or the CTrail Hartford Line, you need only to walk through the concourse to the main waiting area. You can board the Feeding Hills bus route (R14) there.

All buses run from the Springfield Union Station, located at 55 Frank B. Murray Street. On Saturday they depart Springfield union Station at: 7:10, 8:10, 9:10, 10:10, 11:10, 12:10, 1:10, 2:10, 3:10, 4:10 and 5:10. On Sunday they depart Springfield Union Station at: 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30. There is a stop at the Big E (Eastern States Exposition) but be sure to ask your bus driver where to board on the way back. The fare is $1.50 one way, exact change (Please note that there are discounted fares for seniors and children).

The map and schedule for this bus can be found here and then clicking on the R14 route. You want to get off the bus at the Eastern States Exposition. If in doubt, be sure to ask your bus driver. Maps and schedules of the rest of the PVTA system are here.

To download schedules for current Amtrak service to Springfield go to the Amtrak Routes page.
(Note: Please check with Amtrak at 1-800-USA-RAIL as schedules may change.) The following trains serve Springfield, Massachusetts: Lake Shore Limited (Chicago to Boston via Springfield), Northeast Direct Trains to Springfield from New York City and Points South. Vermont service (Washington to Vermont via Springfield). Also the new CTrail Hartford Line.

Peter Pan Bus Lines You may also call 1-800-343-9999 for Schedules and Fares as timetables are not posted on the website. You need to enter your travel information to get specific bus times.

To learn more about Springfield Union Station and Transportation into Springfield, please visit the following site:

Special Note on Locked "Walk-in" Gates

Visitors that take public transportation to our show will find that the policy of the Eastern States Exposition has been to keep the walk-in gates closed for reasons of security. It is suggested that patrons that have used public transportation, exit that transportation at Gate 2. From that point, it is a 300-yard walk to the nearest of our buildings. Taxis and drop-offs (such as Uber Drivers) are allowed on to the premises without having to pay for parking. Taxis and Uber Drivers will also come on to the premises to pick up riders as well. REMEMBER, our FREE Shuttle Service from the Amtrak Station will drop you off at the Door of the BLC and the ticket booths!

Amherst Railway Society announces our new2019 FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE

sponsored by
Beginning at 8:30 am on Saturday and 9:30 am on Sunday the Amherst Railway Society Courtesy Shuttles will begin their routes at the south entrance to Springfield Union Station located on Lyman Street. The vans are 15-passenger vans and there are Show Logos/Signs on the vans and the drivers will be wearing an Amherst Railway Society Red Cap.

The van will make its first STOP at the Springfield Union Station, then leave and follow this route:

- Lyman to Dwight Street, taking a right onto Dwight Street

- Dwight Street to Harrison Ave, taking a right onto Harrison Ave

- Cross Main Street and STOPPING between the Sheraton and the Marriott on the Marriott side of the street.

- Proceed over Memorial Bridge onto Memorial Ave to Baldwin St. stopping at that intersection.

- Continue on Memorial Ave and STOPPING at Gate 5 (closed) of the ESE grounds (to pick up people that have come via other public transportation).

- Proceed west on Memorial Ave to GATE 1 entering the grounds and dropping off at the ticket booths and Door 7 of the BLC.

- Van will leave grounds via Gate 9 head east back to Springfield on Memorial Ave, cross the bridge straight to Main Street where it will make a left turn (north) on Main Street to Lyman where it will make a right turn to repeat the route.

- This route will be followed until 5:30 each day.

Many thanks to SCALETRAINS.COM for their sponsorship!!!

Charter Buses

* UPDATED FOR 2019 *

Many Charter Buses run every year to The Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show. This year, in an effort to assist with the high price of gas, we have published those folks that are running charter buses and have requested this publication service. Note that bus passengers arrive directly in front of Door 8 of the BLC and all admissions are taken care of in advance with the contact for that bus.

THINK ABOUT CHARTERING YOUR OWN BUS TO OUR EVENT! Here's what's being said about it:

"Thank you for all your help with this, the bus trip was a big hit and everyone is planning on coming back again next year. You really made it feel like a VIP experience." Kevin Surman, VP Hudson Berkshire division of the NMRA.

Finally, please note that these are not ARS buses so do not hesitate to contact these folks that offer this great service directly:

Accommodations in the area - for the January 2019 Show

2019 Rates available now! Check the update date in each hotel's rate area to be sure. Be sure to mention the Amherst Railroad Hobby Show when making reservations to get these reduced rates. Some hotels now have an automated room reservations link. When in doubt, contact the hotel directly!

Area Attractions

The Amherst Railway Society tried to keep this information updated for many years until we realized that there are a few organizations out there that do this much better than we can...so, check out this link to learn more about our area attractions: